Anyone else self employed????

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swg
swg Member Posts: 461

How do we do this? How am I supposed to be able to just take the time to research everything I need to learn...go see doctors..get treated..recover from treatment..

and still make a living?

I had savings from a condo I sold..I poured nearly all of it into buying a house.

I had JUST moved into my house, when I got diagnosed.

Because I'm self employed, I have no regular paycheck. I HAVE TO WORK.

I'm so overwhelmed right now.

Comments

  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited October 2017

    It’s could be difficult but do you really have a choice? Are you single because you don’t mention a significant other?

    I had a PT job and took medical leave when I was DX because I had to have 33 radiation treatments. Many women work during treatments but my job was the graveyard shift across town and very detailed work. Fortunately I was able to take early retirement and it’s worked out well for my husband and I.

    How much time and effort you will have to devote depends on what surgery and treatments you have. There is also down time and possibleside effects. Hopefully your’s won’t be too debilitating.

    We all drew the unlucky card. The timing sucks but so does the disease.

    I understand you have to work to survive. I would suggest asking for help from friends and family. Support is important. Find creative ways to get the job done.

    You will get through this. We are living proof of that. Some of the women who have posted are defying incredible odds and doing fine. You will too.

    Diane

  • swg
    swg Member Posts: 461
    edited October 2017

    yes. I'm single. That makes it 1000 times harder.

  • tlfrank
    tlfrank Member Posts: 199
    edited October 2017

    My BS gave me the name of a social worker, who I am going to contact to see if there are any resources that I qualify for. I'm single, but not self employed. Living paycheck to paycheck, less than 2K in savings - unlike you I can take FEMLA to secure my job, but that's unpaid leave - I have a mortgage, IRS debt totaling upwards of $87K thanks to the ex - no where to turn.

    I relate to your anxiety 100% - one thing, one day at a time has been my approach so far. Awaiting to see how complicated the rest of my treatment will be.

    keep breathing....

  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited October 2017

    swg, I am also single, self-employed and a homeowner. It is over-whelming, but you can get through it. I really didn't have to take much time off of work because of not feeling well, SE's, etc. I was able to schedule my work around my treatments. That is the good thing about my career! Honestly, I think it was a blessing that I didn't have to "ask" my boss for time off and didn't have to share my DX with co-workers. I don't think any of my clients even knew I was going through treatments. My income did take a little hit, but I did manage to pay my two huge insurance deductibles over a 2 yr period. Yes, talk to the social worker at your medical facility. I qualified for a grant for part of my chemo and also had a small portion of my Neulasta shot(s) paid for, which I am very grateful for. It is stressful, but don't let it get you down. Just focus on taking care of yourself. You will find much support here. Sometimes it's just a matter of knowing who to ask. Contact your American Cancer Society if you need a ride to appts, etc. They may also have a list non-profits that can help you. You can do this! Best wishes.

  • Brightness456
    Brightness456 Member Posts: 340
    edited October 2017

    Do you have a local BC association? The one where I live offers financial support for various things. If nothing else, they might know of resources you can tap into. The facility where I get chemo has social workers, but also has a specific financial counselor to help with insurance issues among other things. The nurse navigator can probably direct you to the right professionals.

    I can't imagine how difficult this must be for you. I'm alone too, but can't imagine having to work while juggling all the appointments etc. in addition to being on your own. This place is a wonderful resource for information, guidance and just venting, so please use it as much as you need.

  • swg
    swg Member Posts: 461
    edited October 2017

    I am so sorry, tlfrank!!! I'm in a similar situation. I have $1800 in IRAs that I wasn't planning to touch, and about $650 in a Scottrade account that I will probably have to w/draw this week :(

    Been putting copays on my credit cards. (!!!)

    I also have IRS debt...long story but it's due to an account many years ago taking an exemption for a condo purchase, that I didn't know I would have to pay back :( My debt is about $6500 :(

    Maybe see if you can talk to one of those attorneys that negotiates your debt down for you..or try to get an offer in compromise??

    I didn't think to talk to a social worker..that's a good idea.

    My nurse navigator is out of the office all week.

    Right when I'm having a mental breakdown :(

  • swg
    swg Member Posts: 461
    edited October 2017

    Thank you, keepthefaith! I'm a model, so I'm also freaking out about what I'm going to look like. I also do some acting, too.

    The financial concerns are also impacting my decision about whether/when to get reconstruction..what type of reconstruction...concerned about having to keep getting more surgeries :p

  • swg
    swg Member Posts: 461
    edited October 2017

    Thanks, Brightness456. It's rough. I have friends, but...they have their own lives. Jobs, kids..etc. The ones who could really pitch in, don't live near me.

    I am very grateful for this forum!!!

  • rainnyc
    rainnyc Member Posts: 1,289
    edited October 2017

    I'm self-employed but not single. My DH is also self-employed, but I've usually been the main breadwinner, but not through cancer. Worked through most of it. The only times when I couldn't were once during chemo when I had a terrible cold and after surgery and radiation when I was on heavy-duty painkillers. I won't deny the my income dropped, and I wasn't as productive as I usually am. But I could work.

    You CAN do it. It's not easy, but it's possible. Step one: make sure you have the best medical team you can find and then put your faith in them. As long as you are satisfied that you have good people, you can let yourself be treated without second-guessing everything. As someone said, talk to a social worker where you're being treated and see what they can find for you in the way of local resources.

    I was very careful in telling people I know, because I didn't want word to get around that I was ill and couldn't work. My friends were amazing and so helpful. Ditto family. Lean on people, even if it's hard, because you need every single speck of energy for fighting cancer.

    It is the unknown aspect of the illness that is so hard to process, but from your diagnosis, I'd say you have a good chance of doing very well. Good luck!

  • HegeKonstance
    HegeKonstance Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2017

    I am self-employed and I am lucky because I live in norway. Our health system is free. And because of my diagnose I was able to apply for disability benefits. I got it, and are free to work and earn money too. Disability benefits gives me money to pay for daily costs. I don't have to worry about tomorrow like I sense you do. I know there are organizations that helps people. You need to apply for money there. You just need to seek the information, either google it or talk to doctors. Maybe even someone here knows the exact thing to do. Anyhow I wish you good luck, and I hope you find a way

  • AuthorGal
    AuthorGal Member Posts: 2
    edited December 2017

    I'm self-employed too, plus I'm caregiver for my spouse. Tons of sympathy to you. I don't know how we're going to do this ... but we will, because we are smart and have good support, right? I have a question that I'll also post in another thread: I'm trying to keep up with work (it's all at the computer) but kind of worried because my lumpectomy was a week ago and I don't want to raise my risk of lymphedema. Anyone with experience on this?

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited December 2017

    Hi AuthorGal, and welcome! Have you had a chance to check out our lymphedema forum? Lots of great info and advice there: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/64

    The Mods

  • NicolaSue
    NicolaSue Member Posts: 111
    edited December 2017

    Hi

    I'm in the UK and self employed also. I also have a large family so several jobs and several children. I panicked to begin with about how on earth I could keep on top of everything. There's no easy answers but what I do is make sure I keep a 'project plan' of where I'm up to with all medical stuff - ie I know when to chase a test results and I know when to book the next appointment etc. I keep this by my PC so I can regularly review it. Then I try to spend a bit of time each time (not ages, say 30mins) just checking in to the forum so I can see if there's any info that would be helpful to me or any support I can give others. Then I try (don't always succeed) not to panic with all the balls up in the air at once. I tell myself that I am working out a system to cope with it all and it's not perfect yet but as time goes by I will get better at this. What I have done however is cut down hugely on social stuff. I see one or two friends but not many. I did find that something had to give.

    Hope this helps.

  • AuthorGal
    AuthorGal Member Posts: 2
    edited December 2017

    Thanks for the suggestion, @Moderators, learned a lot at the LE Forum this evening!

  • DaughterFriend
    DaughterFriend Member Posts: 10
    edited March 2018

    My mother was recently diagnosed with IDC HER2+ breast cancer and she is self-employed as well. We live in the US so no single-payer system here. She has insurance but it is not comprehensive; instead, it is a limited benefit insurance plan. I suspect she may be able to obtain comprehensive medical insurance through her state's insurance exchange. The only problem is that she has missed the general open enrollment period and it will not return for at least 7 months. She may be able to qualify for a special enrollment period. Any self-employed ladies in the US obtain comprehensive insurance post-diagnosis and outside of the exchange's enrollment period? If so, how did you do that? Any other resources you find to help defer the cost of treatment? I have about $11k in savings for her but I know that's not going to be enough to cover her living expenses and treatment.

  • LoriCA
    LoriCA Member Posts: 923
    edited March 2018

    DaughterFriend I'm sorry to say that your mother will not qualify for Special Enrollment unless she has a certain qualifying life event such as losing health coverage (through an event like loss of a job, not if you lose it because you stop paying for it), moving, getting married, having a baby, or adopting a child. Trying to get insurance outside of the Open Enrollment period because of a cancer diagnosis is like trying to get insurance on a house that is already on fire. My husband and I are both self-employed (at least I was before my DX!) and had dropped our coverage two years before my diagnosis because we didn't qualify for subsidies, our premiums had increased $1,000 per month over the past few years, and neither of us had been sick a day in lives. Well, we lost that roll of the dice. The insurance clerk at my oncology center tried to tell me that the state exchange/ACA would make a special exception because of my cancer diagnosis. I knew that wasn't correct, but we still spent several hours on the phone trying to see if it was possible, and we couldn't find any way around it. I think people misunderstand "pre-existing conditions" coverage to mean you can get insurance at any time. We also did not qualify for any type of financial assistance. If she qualifies there are resources to help defray the costs but it almost always depends on what is shown on your previous year's tax return, not the fact you can't currently work.

    At least my diagnosis was in September and not as early in the year as your mother's, but I still had to personally pay out of pocket for an 8-day hospital stay, outpatient surgery for my port, scans and all of my meds until my coverage kicked in on January 1. I'll be paying off those bills forever, but as long as you send them even a small amount every month they are usually willing to work with you (although the hospital wanted $10,000 downpayment/deposit from me halfway through my stay, but I managed to convince them to accept $5,000). My amazing MO, to whom I owe my life, donated his services and refused to take any money even when I tried. All I had to pay him for was the actual cost of the chemo drugs and pre-meds (still no small amount when you aren't working). I also found that most places will adjust their billing if you don't have insurance. The hospital knocked almost $50,000 off my bill, and I think it was around $5,000 knocked off my port surgery.The imaging center charged me $1500 for a PET scan that is billed at $5,000 through insurance.

    She may have to shop around to find providers who are willing to work with her situation, but it can be done. Best of luck to her!

  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited March 2018

    DF, If your Mom qualifies, she may be able to get a grant for part of her treatment. She should talk to the social worker at the hospital where she is being treated. I had a huge deductible 2yrs in a row during treatment and I did get a grant to cover some if it, so, it is worth checking in to. I hate that patients should have to worry about financial issues when fighting BC. It can be over-whelming. Best wishes.

  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited March 2018

    I’m not self employed I retired from my job at FedEx and my husband still works so we have BC/BS insurance thankfully. Our deductible is $5k and we buzz sawed through that in 2 months.

    I know the bills are off the chart. Despite having insurance we had lots of out of pocket expenses. I negotiated with the doctors and labs. It took over a year plus to pay back several of them and meanwhile you are still adding more debt with appointments. We did luck out by the time I needed 33 radiation treatments we were at 100% otherwise I have no clue how we could have paid for those treatments.

    I know women in your shoes and they went to the Church Health Center here for help. Idk how much they fund but they do work with the cancer center in providing support.

    It’s enough to deal with this insidious disease and then have to deal with financial issues too is beyond overwhelming. I wish all the hoopla over pink this and that would focus more on the issues like financial ones that can drive us over the edge.

    Good luck to all of you. We are strong and courageous but we also have breaking points. There needs to be more resources for financial assistance.

    Btw HegeLonstance my hairdresser and my friend is from Norway. Her mother is still living so she makes several trips home a year. What a beautiful country you have! Lucky you have free health coverage.

    Diane

  • DaughterFriend
    DaughterFriend Member Posts: 10
    edited April 2018

    LoriCA, Thank you for your help! I've dug into the special enrollment period you mentioned and it seems like there's no way in. She recently moved but did not have comprehensive health insurance in the 60 days before she moved. She still had that limited benefit insurance which seems like a scam the more I look into it. I've started to "shop around" now and I think I've found an imaging center that will help with the myriad of scans she will require. I'm frustrated but not yet defeated. I'm willing to get on a payment plan but I just don't want providers to deny her at the outset. Selfishly, I cannot imagine life without her. I'm grateful that you shared your story and tips. I wish you all the best.


    Keepthefaith, Thank you as well! I've started researching grants and they seem like a viable option. I appreciate the advice.

  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited April 2018

    I'm self-employed - had huge deductibles and am still paying off hospital bills and always having new ones.

    My sister was also diagnosed with BC and having been through it, I learned a few things a long the way that I didn't know when I went through it.

    She applied for a grant through our large university hospital. Even though she was out-of-state, they approved her because of my BC diagnosis and our mom's BC diagnosis which made it important that she went there for treatment. They paid three years of deductibles for her for $21,000. We are grateful.

    Keep looking for sources!

  • swg
    swg Member Posts: 461
    edited April 2018

    Wow..I hadn't logged into this thread in a while..

    I was able to get SOME financial support through a couple of breast cancer nonprofit organizations, like Living Beyond Breast Cancer. I applied for more, but was denied.

    Right now I'm just coasting by..still putting copays on my credit card. Yesterday, I finally had my implant exchange surgery, and I had to put $100 copay on a credit card, again. Ugh.

    At least I am done now, with medical procedures!

    I took on a roommate, and that is annoying, but at least it's helping me continue to pay my mortgage. My roommate also pays half my utility bills. They've totally taken over my living room with a giant TV and video game system that they play nearly every night, but..it's a trade off, I guess.

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